Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-11-16
Countess ualOla.
BY wILKIE COLLINS.
THE FIRST PART.
Bv wILKIE COLLINS.



snow, my good creature, whatever you
have to say to me-, out with II al once l
don't want TO hurry yon needlesSly; but these
are business hours, md have other peoples
affairs to attend 10 besides yours.
Addressing Ferrari's wife, with his usual
blunt good humor, in these terms, Mr.. Troy
Registered the lapse of time by glance at
the watch on his desk, and then waited to
hear what his client had to say to him
ats something more, sir, about the letter
with the thousand pound note, Mrs Ferrari
began. Al nave found out who sent it to me.
Mr. Troy started. This news indeed"
he said @Who sent you the letter"
Lord Montbarry sent it, sir"
II was not easy TO take Mr.. Troy by sur
p,ise But Mrs. Ferrari threw him com
nlstely off his balance. For awhile he could
only look at her in silent surprise. Mon
senseln he said, as soon as he had recovered
himself There is some mistake-it can't
be-"
aTbere is no mistake" Mrs. Ferrari re-
ioinfd, in her most positive manner Two
gentlemen from the insurance offices called
on ME this morning, to see the letter. They
were completely puzzleti--especially when
thew heard Of the bank note inside. But they
know who sent the letter. His lordshps doc
tor in Venice posted it at his lofdshps re
quest. Go 70 the gentlemen yourself sir, II
YOU don't believe Inc. They were polite
enough to ask il could account for Lord
Montbarry writing TO me and sending ue the
money gave them my opinion-l said 1t
was like his lordShips kindness.
Al l. t.rIahi,'a Troy 20
peated, in blank smazement
"Yes, sir, Lord MontbaITy knew me, like
all the other members of the family when ]
was at school on the estate in Ireland. Ii he
could have done IT, he would have protected
my poor dear husband But he was helpless
himself IN the hands of my lady and the
baron-snd the only kind thing be could do
was to provide for me in my widowhood, like
the true nobleman he was"
"A very pretty explanationp said Mr..
Troy. What did your visitors from the in
surance offices think of it!'
"They asked II | had any proof Of my hus-
bands death
And what did you sayf
Il said, / give you better than prool
gentlemen; give you my positive opinion u
THAT SdliSlleu them. OF coufSef
"rhey didn't say 50 in words. sir They
looked at each other-and wished me good
morning
well. Mrs. Ferrari, unless YOU have somt
more extraordinary news for me, think
shall wish You good morning, too. | can tax.
note of your Information very startling in
formation, | own; and, in the absence q
proof, can DO no more"
Il can provide You with proof, sir-if tina
is all you want" said Mrs. Ferrari, with grea
dignity. Il only want to know, first
whether the law justifies ME in doing it. Yo
may have seen in the fashionable intelligenc
of the newspapers, that Lady Montbarry ha
arrived in London, at Newbury's hotel
propose TO go and see her"
The deuce You dot MAY | ask for whs
purposer
Mrs. Ferrari answered in a mvsteriou
whisper: For the purpose OF catching her i
trap! | shan't send in my name-I sha
announce myself as person on business, an
the first words say to her will be these:
come, my lady, TO acknowledge the receipt
the money sent 10 Ferrari's widow AL
you may well start, Mr. Troy 1t almo
takes you of your guard, doesn't iti NAL
your mind easy, sir; shall find the proc
that everybody asks me for in her guilt
face. Let her only change color by I'll
shadow OF shade-let her eyes only drop fl
half an instant--I shall discover her! Tt
one thing | want TO know is, does the la
permit it,"
"1he law permits it," Mr. Troy answers
gravely; "hut whether her ladyship will pc
nit it, is quite another question. Have yC
really courage enough, Mrs. Ferrari, to carr
out this notable scheme Of yoursi You ha,
been described 10 me. by Miss Lockwood.
rather nervous, timid sort of persou--an
il | may trust my own observation, | shuu
say you Justify the description"
"lf you had lived in the country, sir, i
stead of living in London Mrs Ferrari 7
piled, You would sometimes have seen even
sheep turn on dog. am far from savii
that am a bold woman-qulte the reycr,
But when stand in that wretch's prasen
and think of my murdered husband, tho 81
OF us two who is likely to be frightened is IL
ms | am going there now, sir You sh,
hear how it ends | wish you good morning
With those brave words the courier's WI
gathered her mantle about her AMI walk
out OF the room.
Mi Troy smiled not satirieally, but COZ
yassionately. THE little simpletonl"
thought to himself IF half of what tn
say Of Lady Montbarry is true, Mrs. Fern
and her trap have but poor prospect befo
them wonder how it will enis'
All Mr. Troys experience failed 70 fol
waru hun Of how it did end